MTN Bushfire organisers say the festival’s mission is to unite people, even as some fans call for improvements ahead of its 20th anniversary.
Speaking during the festival, MTN Bushfire Festival Director Jiggs Thorne said the event was built on creating meaningful connections among people from different backgrounds.
“There is authenticity and realness about this event and that stems from the why, why we do this,” said Thorne.
He said Bushfire was never intended to be a festival focused only on entertainment, but a platform where diversity is celebrated and communities come together.
“It wasn’t about putting on a festival for entertainment’s sake. It was about creating a space where we could bring different people together,” he said.
Thorne added that in a world increasingly divided by conflict and differences, gatherings such as Bushfire provide an important opportunity to promote unity and understanding.
He said the 2026 theme, Juncture of Hum, reflected Bushfire’s vision of bringing people together.
According to Thorne, the ‘hum’ represents the energy generated by festivalgoers, while the ‘juncture’ symbolises the meeting point where different cultures, perspectives and communities gather in celebration of diversity and unity.
Festivalgoers want stronger line-up next year
WHILE many festivalgoers enjoyed this year’s MTN Bushfire Festival, some have called for improvements ahead of the event’s 20th anniversary celebrations in 2027.
MTN Bushfire recently thanked attendees on its social media platforms and announced that next year’s festival will be held from May 28 to 30.
The announcement attracted mixed reactions, with many supporters saying they would return, while others shared concerns about their experience this year.
A common issue raised by attendees was the festival line-up. Several fans said the artists featured on the main stages did not meet their expectations, especially considering the cost of the tickets.
One attendee, who said they had attended the festival for 10 years, described this year’s line-up as disappointing. However, the attendee praised the DJs for keeping crowds entertained throughout the weekend.
Another festivalgoer said South African act Kabelo Mabalane helped save the weekend. The attendee argued that while it was important to promote local artists, some performances were better suited for smaller stages than prime weekend slots on the main stage.
Despite criticism of the entertainment programme, many attendees praised other aspects of the festival. Visitors commended food vendors, with some describing the quality of food and customer service as excellent. The ice cream stall also received positive reviews from festivalgoers.
Safety and security measures were also welcomed. Some campers praised gate staff for consistently checking wristbands and monitoring movement between campsites, saying the measures helped families feel secure.
Others called for better support for people living with disabilities, particularly regarding shuttle services and transporting camping equipment.
Campers also appealed for more showers, restrooms and charging facilities within the campsites, saying the current infrastructure struggled to meet demand during peak periods.
Despite the concerns, many festivalgoers said they remained committed to the event and are already looking forward to the 20th anniversary edition. Several expressed hope that organisers will use the feedback to deliver a stronger and more memorable Bushfire experience in 2027.
